NEWBERRY - Former Newberry Football star linebacker AJ Valentine signed a professional contract with the Paderborn Dolphins in the German Football League this afternoon.
 
Valentine will join the likes of former quarterback Dre Harris, who helped lead the Wolves to back-to-back SAC championships in 2021 and 2022. Harris currently plays for the Regensburg Phoenix in the GFL 2.
 
Valentine finished his Newberry tenure with 229 total tackles, six sacks and 18.5 TFL's at the middle linebacker position.
 
"AJ was the glue that held our defense together for years." Head coach Todd Knight mentioned. "He was like having a coach on the field and I am thrilled for him to continue his football career."  
 
Valentine served as a grey stripe for the Wolves for the 2022 and 2023 season.
 
"I'm very excited for AJ to continue his career. "Middle linebacker coach Jeremiah Jones said. "He was at great representative for Newberry College and will be a great representative overseas."
 
"I'm pumped for this opportunity." Valentine said, "Getting to continue to play the game I love and do it professionally is exciting."

Valentine's debut will be on May 11, 2024 as the Dolphins will face the Dresden Monarchs at 7:00 GMT.